Bruins finish strong, blank Cougars

After getting outplayed for the first 15 minutes of Thursday's game with Chesapeake, Emily Eckels' goal on Broadneck's first shot set the Bruins well on their way to a 3-0 victory over the Cougars.

Broadneck (8-3) watched the Cougars attempt four penalty corners in the first 10 minutes of the game. Broadneck coach Jen Plack called a timeout with 17 minutes, 41 seconds left in the half, and the Bruins responded with Eckels' goal four minutes later.

"We just talked about how we needed to play our game," Plack said. "Honestly, this was not our best game. However, they really dug deep and they played together, and that's what counts."

While the Bruins didn't dominate the rest of the way, they made some key defensive plays and added two more goals in the second half.

Eckels scored the only goal her team needed when she found the back of the cage off an assist from Megan Munley at the 13:36 mark of the first half. The pair teamed up again early in the second half, with Munley scoring off a scramble with the assist credited to Eckels. Anna Feick added a goal with five minutes left to round out the scoring.

"Chesapeake played a great game, but we finished well," said Eckels, who now has 10 goals and three assists. "We just didn't get our momentum really flowing until we got that first goal. We had some time to get together and talk and figure out what we needed to work on."

Chesapeake (7-4) continued to apply some pressure after Eckels' goal, but the Bruins used their defense to preserve their lead. Following another penalty corner, a shot made its way by Broadneck goalie Peri Long, but Caroline Keniston was in the right place at the right time for the defensive save. Keniston, who came into the week with five defensive saves, received a hug from Long for her efforts.

South River defeated Severna Park, 47-30, on Feb. 2 at South River High School.

South River defeated Severna Park, 47-30, on Feb. 2 at South River High School.

CAPTION

South River defeated Meade, 44-43, on Jan. 30 at South River High School.

South River defeated Meade, 44-43, on Jan. 30 at South River High School.

After Munley's goal early in the second half, Miranda Tison had Long's back and made a defensive save to keep it at a 2-0 Broadneck lead. Long, who finished with eight saves, made a tough kick save a minute later to preserve the lead.

The Cougars finished with 11 penalty corners, but the Broadneck defense played most of them well. Three shots off corners made their way to Long over the final 15 minutes of the game, but she was there each time to keep the Bruins in command.

"Peri is a very good goalie, but we always try to protect her blind side because she can't see everything," Plack said. "I gave that mission to Caroline at the beginning of the season and she has really taken to that. Just like Peri, she takes ownership back there."

After splitting its four games against Howard County teams, Broadneck is off to a 4-0 start in county play. The Bruins will face Arundel, South River and Severna Park in its last three regular-season games.

"This was a big game for us because I felt like last year we fell flat against Chesapeake," Plack said. "This year we just came in very focused and prepared. I'm really proud of the girls."

Alexis Wade stopped five shots for Chesapeake, which has lost three out of four.

"We were dominating the game over the first 15 minutes, but we've had some trouble putting the ball in the goal the last couple games," Chesapeake coach Joan Johnson said. "Clearly, Broadneck was the better team tonight."

The Cougars did get some good news this week, though, as it was decided on Wednesday they will move up to the A tier next year. They'll play all teams in the A and B tiers and will not play teams in the C tier

"I'm very excited about that, and these girls need to see what we're going to be facing," Johnson said.